stubborn couldy milky white water

[UF_gator]

So i've got this little problem. So my smart self decided to let my tank sit w/out the filter running for a couple of weeks. After putting water in and turning the filter on, the water turned milky white water after a day or two after i changed my water. The water becomes milky and later you can see little white particles being blow around and on the substrate. I first did a 100% water change and a couple of days later it turned milky white again. That was about 2 weeks ago. And just recently on friday i took out all the water, removed and rinsed the substrate and try to dilute the leftover water and remove whatever is left in the water. And for a day it was clear till today. Is this some kinda bacterial bloom? should i be changing my filter media? What should i do to get rid on this pain!

Also i have
no fish or plants just snails
substrate = flourite black.
tank = 20gal long
filter = aquaclear 20

.

Thanks

[epicfish]

Yes, it's probably just a bacterial bloom. Leave it, it'll disappear by itself.

[UF_gator]

really? i left it like 3 weeks or so and it seems like it gets worse.

[epicfish]

Originally Posted by UF_gator

really? i left it like 3 weeks or so and it seems like it gets worse.

Because you keep washing things out and re-starting the colonization process. Give time for the bacteria to colonize without disturbing the tank.

If the cloudiness comes back repeatedly, I doubt it's dust from your substrate, etc.

Pick up some water in a white cup. Make sure it doesn't have a green tinge or else it could be GW.

[UF_gator]

alright thanks epic. i'll try that and let u know what happens

[UF_gator]

water has semi cleared up. thanks. it cleared up alot faster. I think it was due to washing alot of that bacteria out.

[epicfish]

Glad to hear!